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Basic Christianity - John R. W. Stott

 

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This book is a classic. It should be a must read for all new believers. Stott does a great job of making theological concepts accessible to the layman. This book is a good starter to get someone firmly grounded in the basics and instill in them a desire to dive deeper into theology. If only the average Christian would read this book and understand it, I have no doubts that the present American church would be in much, much better shape.

The book is divided into four sections: Christ's Person, Man's Need, Christ's Work, and Man's Response.

In the first section, Stott does a good job of discussing Christ's claims and diety and the importance of seriously examining those claims. His style and arguments are similar to that seen in C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity .

In the next section, Stott discusses our need for a Savior. He openly discusses the ugliness of sin and the damage that it causes with our relationship with God. He mirrors Paul in his opening to his letter of Romans.

In the next section, Stott discuss the death of Christ and the salvation that He provides. In chapter 8, he discusses what salvation accomplishes for us. I found this quote great and packed with good theology. “It is thus through his atoning death that the penalty of our sins may be forgiven; it is through his indwelling Spirit that the power of our sins may be broken.

In the final section, Stott discusses man's response. Stott does a good job of describing how salvation is a personal decision. He makes it very clear that you are not born a Christian and that someone else can not make the decision for you. I did think that Stott went a bit too far with his response ideas. It came across sounding as if Christ is begging us to accept Him, and we are the ones in control. Taken in context with the rest of the book though, I think that Stott's comments are fine and provide that final call before the close of the book. I understand that in the final section in particular that Stott is targeting an unbelieving audience. Also, in this section, Stott is not discussing salvation as a whole but is looking at it from man's perspective.

This book is a must read for all Christians. It is also a good book to share with people who are not believers. It can perhaps answer many of their questions in a very understandable style. This book has already been around for many years, and I hope it lasts decades more.

I will close my review by directly quoting from the end of chapter 9.

" If, then, you suffer from moral anemia, take my advice and steer clear of Christianity. If you want to live a life of easy-going self-indulgence, whatever you do, do not become a Christian. But if you want a life of self-discovery, deeply satisfying to the nature God has given you; if you want a life of adventure in which you have the privilege of serving Him and your fellow men; if you want a life in which to express something of the overwhelming gratitude you are beginning to feel for him who died for you, then I would urge you to yield your life, without reserve and without delay, to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Amen

Last Updated ( Jul 12, 2007 at 03:35 PM )